As I was writing a receipt for my first client of the day, it suddenly dawned on me that exactly one year ago today was the day that this amazing ride began. So since today marks the YUM Book Launch 1-Year Anniversary—LET’S CELEBRATE! Green Heart Image

An Unforgettable Day…

No words can describe the incredible community that came together to co-create YUM‘s celebration of living event.

The place was a-buzz with activity, laughter, joy and sharing. We knew we were embarking on something special, never guessing that YUM would be honoured with a “Starred” Publisher’s Weekly Review and then go on to win a plethora of the highest international awards, including a Gourmand “Best in the World” Award, we just all knew that the book would inspire and instill hope for healing ourselves and the planet.

Music filled the hall by teen Singer-Songwriter Tessa Mouzourakis. In the KIDS CORNER, children were making adorable little wildlife crafts with Sheri and Kathryn, and for the teens, Tia and her friends were working their Henna artistry magic.

Meanwhile, the huge team of volunteers were plating up and handing out delicious samples from the book. Even launch guests of all ages had also spontaneously begun to help pass out the food, noticing how many people were needing to be served! I was blown away by the kindness, the generosity and the love of our amazing community.

No words can properly describe what happened that day. However, my dear friends Kathy and Steph of Marliss Productions and Beauty and Wellness TV created this beautiful video to capture some of the essence of the event. I hope you enjoy sharing in the memories of this precious community experience.

5-year-old Harumi demonstrating how easy YUM recipes are. Not only is every recipe in the book easy enough for a 12-year-old to make, but many are recipes that kids who are much younger can even make—empowering not just children, but also the reticent adults who are afraid that they are unable to cook!

The YUM Book Launch Retrospective: a few highlights…

YUM Guest Speakers – Saul Pilar MD & Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) – Val Vartnou

Dr. Pilar is one of the most respected integrative physicians in Vancouver. His support and recommendations of this project over the past several years has meant the world to me. Here in this video he shares some of his insights around food as medicine. He also speaks to a passionate concern he has about the potential health implications caused by consuming too much salt in our diets.

My beloved daughters doing cooking demonstrations was a joy beyond compare.

me with the girls Launch

This project is about much more than food. Being able to share this launch experience with not just our community, but with my family was an incredible gift.

Here’s Alex doing a smoothie demonstration…

And Angeline showing guests how to use a spiralizer…

Tessa sharing her amazing music….

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… and the guests, the beautiful guests!

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…and you, Diane, what can I say? … such a generous friend, still by my side since we were in Grade 3. Talk about history! xo

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And the incredible friends…with more “helping hands” than I could have ever dreamt of…
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SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF THE YUM BOOK LAUNCH EXHIBITORS, SPONSORS, CONTRIBUTORS & VOLUNTEERS who made the YUM Launch all that it could be…

I would like to again express my heartfelt gratitude to all my friends, family, and organizations that made the launch of YUM possible. All 500+ there filling the huge event hall at Shaughnessy Heights United Church couldn’t help feeling the love and hope and vision for a new world.

EXHIBITORS

Canadian Celiac Association – Vancouver Chapter– Val Vaartnou, President
Inspire Health – a not-for-profit supportive cancer care organization approved by the BC Ministry of Health.
Empower Health – Vancouver clinic specializing in integrated health
Choices Markets (exhibitor & sponsor) – Jess Pirnak, Nutritionist
Daiya Cheese (exhibitor & sponsor) – David Savage
Fresh Now  – Haely Lindau
Bean Around the World – Organic Fair-Trade Coffee Sue and Peter Boeda
New Roots Herbal – Stevia Sugar Spoonable
Beauty and Wellness TV – Team of wellness practitioners and beauty specialists
Love Your Age Fitness for Healthy Aging – Kate Maliha, Director – Research-based best practice in Kinesiology, encompassing fitness, prevention, lifestyle management and ability retention.
Firma EnergyWear  – Yvonne Hogenes
Purium  – Jodi Burke
Kristin Price – Holistic Nutrition & Coaching
Tree Drops – reclaimed wood garden habitats – Alice and Peter
Zimt Chocolate – Emma Smith
Artist – Gardener/Spinner/Weaver – Monica Renard

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MUSIC

Tessa Mouzourakis (Singer-Songwriter)
The Lawrence Sisters (Violin Duo)

KID & YOUTH ZONES

Henna Tattoos for Teens – Teen Artist Tia Kilmartin & Friends
Kids Craft ZoneSheri Poulsen & Kathryn Bowen-Roberts
Conscious Kids Club & Mindful Parenting Brittany Zimmerman

SPEAKERS:

Paula Skalnek – Celebrant & MC
Dr. Saul Pilar-Integrative Physician (Connect Health & Kinetic Patterns) – Senior consultant in the areas of endocrinology (hormones), orthomolecular medicine, prolotherapy to treat joint pain, antiaging and detoxification.
Bill BarazzuolYUM Living (Philosophy) in Context
Diane Oliver – Lifelong Friend

COOKING DEMONSTRATIONS

Angeline Nicassio – Certified Awesome Daughter (CAD)
Alex Nicassio – (CAD) Certified Associate Raw Food Chef Chef, Instructor, & Advanced Raw Food Nutrition Educator & Gluten-Free Plant-Based Blogger
Theresa Nicassio PhDAuthor of YUMimg_3637

PRIZES

Gardenworks – $50 Gift Card + Basket
New Roots Herbal – Natural Health Gift Basket
Herbal Pharmacy 2 dvd set – Gudrun Penselin
1-hour Transformation Self-Leadership Coaching Session – Jenny Xenos
Native Northwest – Sandi Karmel and Larry Garfinkle (lots of gifts!)
Zimt Chocolate – Emma Smith
1-hour Acupuncture-Shiatsu Session with Dr. Ted Thomas Sourcepoint Shiatsu 
Firma EnergyWear – Free Hi Rise Legging (value $110) and a Free Invisible Tank Top (value $75) and a Free pair of Socks (value $30) – Yvonne Hogenes
Living Free Ashley – $20 gift certificate Living Free Baked Goods goodies – Ashley Alexander
Purium  – Jodi Burke – $50 Gift Card towards any superfoods or the 10 Day Transformation – Jodi Burke
Pearl Boutique  – 30 min whitening – Emma Johnson
Be The Key Counselling and Coaching services – A 75 min discovery coaching session for personal and professional growth with Dr. Michelle Mann ($ 300 value)
Vivalogue Publishing – 2-hour editorial consultation and manuscript assessment + book gift basket- Kilmeny Jane Denny & Lynn Duncan
Future Hair Training Centre – gift basket ($150 value)
TWITTER CONTEST PRIZE (#YUMBookLaunch) Writing Insights by Cheryl Package: Writing with Chery Muir – one-hour online publishing strategy session to help you get published in major online outlets ($195 value)

LAUNCH PARTNERS & VOLUNTEERS img_4071

PHOTO & VIDEO

Photo Ali – Alejandra Aguirre
Marliss Productions -Steph and Kathy Rabinovitch-Marliss

LAUNCH SOUS CHEF

Chef Michelle Stewart

EVENT VOLUNTEERS

Kilmeny Denny
Lynn Duncan
Ashley Alexander
Debra Carr
Gaynor Stone
Jo-Ann Majcher
Tamar Cohen
Rho Tuttle
Maxine
Barb Van Holt
Kerry & Tia Kilmartin (& Friends)
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MEDIA

Christine Blanchette – Host – Run With It (Shaw TV) christineruns.com
Jas Mundy – Host & CEO – XL Radio (Event Live-Streaming via Twitter @XL_Radio)

TEAM YUM

Web Design & Development

Total Product Marketing– Makiko Ara

Graphic Design

Page & Design – Mauve Page – Senior Designer (Interior Book Design & Marketing)
Kaleeg Hainsworth & Bronwyn at Bright Wing Books – E-book conversion

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Coordination, PR & Promotions

Paula Marie Skalnek – Celebrant
Zara Durrani
Kerry Kilmartin
Steve Harrison – National Publicity Summit 

Hair Makeup & Wardrobe

Artist Jennifer Little – Make-up
Blushing Designs – Shelley Klassen – Wardrobe Sponsor

Editorial Staffimg_3847

Kilmeny Jane Denny – Senior Editor
Elaine Jones – Recipe Book Editor
Lynn Duncan – Copy & Proof Editor
Janet Love Morrison – Proof Editor
Early Influential & Consulting Editors – Mari Kim, Carol Pope & Martha Bullen

OTHER YUM VOLUNTEERS

Lynn Chamberlain | Tracey Jannusch | Adriana Sarvas | Shannon, Renata & Victoria Lawrence | Margaret & Larry Moore | Jenny Chapman | Harban | Rho & Richard Tuttle | Elaine Simons Lane | Amelia Chow | Deb Roed | Diane Oliver | Lynda Hydamaka | Eric Mazzi.

THANK YOU TO ALL!!!

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SAVE 10% on your next YUM Book Order (on YUM website only) 

Available Internationally, with FREE SHIPPING in Canada & the Continental US

“EVENT10”

(Discount Code)

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